It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Abby has touched the lives of 100s of people and dogs combined during the 10 years she was with us. We were often stopped on the street or at the park by complete strangers to say hi to her. Some because she reminded them of their Golden, others just because they said there was something special about her. My wife Juliana said that there are students at her yoga studios that she doesn’t even know, that knows Abby!
I adopted Abby in 2014 when she was almost 7 years old from the Providence Animal Rescue League in Providence Rhode Island, where I was volunteering. According to the shelter, she was surrendered because someone in her family allegedly became allergic to her. She was still intact (not spayed) and by the looks of her nipples probably had a litter fairly recently. I have no proof but my guess was she was no longer of use to them.
The first time I met her was to take her out to the yard to play. But she just wanted to sit with me with her paw on my knee. When it was time to bring her back to her kennel I could tell she didn’t want to go. I sat in the kennel with her for some time while she calmed down. When I finished my shift I said to myself “If she is still there next weekend I’ll ask about adopting her”.
And that is the first thing I did the next weekend when she was still there. The dog program manager at the time was delighted that I wanted to take her home. We just needed to have her spay surgery and she could come home with me after recovery.
I was totally expecting that moment when they leave the shelter, hop in the car, and ride off to their new home with their head out the window and tongue flapping in the wind. What we got was a terrified dog on the floor of the passenger seat.
We had lots of ups and downs those first few weeks. She had apparently been trained to use pads in the house for going to the bathroom, and struggled going when out on walks. She loved to chase cats and squirrels. Our first basic manners class she was scared of the clicker, but quickly learned she got treats when she heard that sound. She passed her Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog tests easily.
Abby loved to be outside in the forest. We spent lots of time on local trails and took many trips to Vermont and New Hampshire for camping and hiking. She also loved the water. Not much of a swimmer but also took the opportunity to wade in the low end of shore. She would lay there for hours if she could.
When I started working as a dog trainer she came to work with me at the training facility/day care I worked at. She graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy with me as a Certified Canine Graduate. She assisted in many lessons, classes, and workshops. She was a great dog to have around when I was teaching Leash Reactivity classes. Dogs barking at her was never a problem, she never barked back, and helped them feel comfortable.
She became a regular at Juliana’s yoga studios. All the teachers and yogis loved her and helped calm the nerves of many new students. She would occasionally join the unheated classes, settling on her mat after she said hello to everyone in the class.
When we started to foster she helped dogs that had lived in shelters all their life relax and do dog things. She helped a few with behavioral issues learn they didn’t need to be growly.
Juliana and I have already said that she won’t be the last dog we have in our life. But there will never be another dog that matches the magic that Abby brought to our life, and countless others.
We love you Abby. Stay gold!
